Littre gland carcinoma

What is Littre Gland Carcinoma?

Littre gland carcinoma, also known as adenocarcinoma of the Littré glands, is a rare type of cancer that affects the male reproductive organ. It originates from abnormally proliferating epithelial cells in the Littre glands [6][7]. The Littre glands are small glands located near the urethra in the penis.

Characteristics and Presentation

This type of cancer is rare, with only a few scattered case reports available in medical literature [11]. It can present similarly to penile carcinoma, with symptoms such as a subfrenular nodule on the penis that may be caused by ectasia and chronic inflammation of the periurethral glands of Littre [9].

Origin and Embryological Development

The epithelium of the urogenital sinus gives rise to the glands of Littré, which share the same embryological origin as the prostate and bulbourethral glands [13]. This shared origin may explain why some penile adenocarcinomas arise from the Littre glands but are described in disease registries as penile malignancies.

Incidence and Reporting

Littre gland carcinoma is likely under-reported due to its rarity, with only a few case reports available in medical literature [11]. It's essential to consider this type of cancer in the differential diagnosis of penile or urethral lesions.

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Diagnostic Tests for Littre Gland Carcinoma

Littre gland carcinoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer, requires accurate diagnosis to determine the best course of treatment. The following diagnostic tests are commonly used to diagnose Littre gland carcinoma:

• Biopsy: A biopsy is the most definitive test for diagnosing Littre gland carcinoma. It involves removing a sample of tissue from the tumor and examining it under a microscope by a pathologist [2].
• Imaging Studies: Imaging studies such as ultrasound, retrograde urethrography (RUG), voiding cystourethrography (VCUG), MRI, and CT scans are used to assess abnormalities in the Cowper glands and surrounding areas [5].
• Laboratory Studies: Laboratory tests such as carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) test, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and microRNAs (miRNA) may be used to support the diagnosis of Littre gland carcinoma [8-11].
• Histologic Findings: Histological examination of the biopsy sample is essential for confirming the diagnosis of Littre gland carcinoma [3].

It's worth noting that a combination of these diagnostic tests, along with clinical correlation and radiological findings, may be necessary to confirm the diagnosis of Littre gland carcinoma.

References:

[2] Diagnosis: Since the tumor is extremely rare, Littre Gland Carcinoma of the Urethra diagnosis is one of exclusion. In many cases, clinicopathologic and radiological correlation is necessary. Diagnosis is made through biopsy of the tumor and examination under the microscope by a pathologist.

[3] Oct 13, 2021 — Laboratory Studies · Imaging Studies · Other Tests · Diagnostic Procedures · Histologic Findings · Staging · Show All. Treatment. Approach ...

[5] by H Takahashi · 2022 · Cited by 6 — Transperineal US, retrograde urethrography (RUG), voiding cystourethrography (VCUG), MRI, and CT are used to assess abnormalities of the Cowper glands and ...

[8] The carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) test measures the level of CEA in the blood. CEA is a protein normally found in the tissue of a developing baby in the womb.

[9-11] Lab tests used to diagnose cancer. High or low levels of certain substances in your body can be a sign of cancer. So lab tests are examined for abnormal cells or tumor markers that may determine whether a person has the disease or a precancerous condition.